Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre - City Hall on 10 December 2013, commencing at 7:00pm.
Gwen Threlfall
Mary Wallace
Colin Wallace
Barry White
Frank Chalifour
Annie McGeachy
Lionel McWilliam
Barrie Kinnersly
Heather Boyd
Jennifer Bantow
Elizabeth Fairlie
Graham Gittins
Michael Helman
Cr D Lyons (Mayor)
Crs:
T Ansett* (7:45pm)
L Ellis
J Farrell* (7:13pm)
K Fisher
B Harwood
M Heagney
J Irvine
E Kontelj
S Kontelj
R Macdonald
R Nelson
A Richards
S Griffin (Chief Executive Officer)
J Wall (General Manager Corporate Services)
P Bettess (General Manager Economic Development, Planning and Tourism)
G Van Driel (General Manager City Services)
J McMahon (General Manager Community Services)
D Frost (General Manager Projects, Recreation and Central Geelong)
R Walker (Executive Director)
Brown (Manager Administration and Governance)
R Bourke (Co-ordinator Governance)
D Chiller (Co-ordinator Communication and Marketing)
The Mayor declared the meeting open at 7:00pm.
The Mayor acknowledged that we are here today on the land of the Wathaurong People and we pay our respects to Aboriginal elders past and present.
Nil.
Cr Richards moved, Cr Irvine seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 26 September 2013 be confirmed and signed.
Carried.
Peter Bettess declared a Conflict of Interest in relation to Agenda Item 7 – Victorian Coastal Strategy in that he is a member of the Victorian Coastal Council, which produced the Strategy. Peter Bettess declared a Conflict of Interest in relation to Agenda Item 10 – Rezoning Application 302-306 Aberdeen Street, Manifold Heights in that he holds Wesfarmers shares.
Question Time is an opportunity for questions to be addressed to Council and while the minutes record the general content, they do not purport to be a transcript of what was said by individuals. Likewise Councillor or Officer verbal responses are in summary form only. Views expressed may not be the views of Council.
Council's practice is to provide a separate document on its website setting out questions and responses including any more detailed written responses which may be provided subsequent to the meeting.
Gwen Threlfall asked the following:
During the last few months the number of trucks driving along Lower Duneed Road between Surf Coast Highway and Horseshoe Bend Road has increased dramatically. Many of these trucks, which are the type for shifting earth, use engine brakes making considerable noise in an area that is zoned low density residential. They use the engine brakes going down the hill from the roundabout, going up the hill and along the less undulating ground. The number of trucks seems to vary depending on which projects are going on in the area at the time. Could we have signs erected asking truck drivers not to use engine brakes please?
Cr Richards responded Council appreciates the situation you are in and will respond back in writing outlining ways in which Council are able to help with the problem.
Mary Wallace asked:
In December 2009, Council in a letter signed by then Governance Co ordinator John Bleazby said, “…Council does not audio record its meetings.” and I am asking has that been Council’s position since and is Council still saying it does not record Council Meetings?
Jeff Wall responded that is correct. Council’s Meeting Procedures Local Law states there be no video or audio recording of Council meetings.
Colin Wallace asked:
Mr Mayor, on many occasions over a long period of time and in a range of ways the Minutes have not faithfully recorded my involvement in Public Question Time such that a reader of the Minutes is likely to be misled, and this happened again in the Minutes of the last Council Meeting in regard to the CEO’s response to my question and I am asking, Mr Mayor, will you act to change this so that the Minutes of each Council Meeting in so far as Public Question Time is concerned faithfully record what happens – and would you be aware, Mr Mayor, that I am not saying there must be a transcription and never have said this, simply a faithful account of what happens?
The Chief Executive Officer responded as far as he recalls the minutes are not a verbatim record, but an accurate reflection and will speak to the relevant staff to ensure that is carried out to meet the requirements of the Local Government Act and the Local Law.
Barry White addressed Council in relation to Amendment C293 as follows:
Given that we now appear to have a situation where the Lara community, the State Minister for Planning and the agents for the developers all agree with the need to protect Serendip Sanctuary with regard to future residential development, and agreement to a 200 metre permanent buffer, why do we have Council officers rejecting this position through their submission?
* Cr Farrell entered the meeting room at 7:13pm
Peter Bettess responded that the Council papers are reflecting the position of the Council. The Lara Structure Plan was adopted by Council and approved by the Minister for Planning.
Council adopted Amendment C73 which was refused by the Minister for Planning. All Council is doing is reflecting the position on the books of this Council.
Barry White asked – do you support the 200m buffer?
Peter Bettess responded, yes.
Frank Chalifour presented a series of comments in relation to Amendment C293, which were noted by Peter Bettess.
Annie McGeachy asked questions in relation to the Tea House at the Geelong Botanic Gardens:
Is Council aware that:
the Tea House was central to the gardens and a much loved destination for the community and garden visitors?
the Tea House was a sort after place of respite and recovery for this city?
the closure is affecting garden visitor numbers, regular programs and the preparation for established summer programs?
the degree of dissatisfaction expressed by those that do visit or phone and find the Tea House is closed?
garden visitor facilities are now one water fountain and 10 year old temporary toilets?
the Tea House close combined with 2-1/2 years of fenced off rotting conservatory, Geelong’s national pre-eminence in regional botanic gardens is now challenged by much smaller regional cities?
I ask that Council reopen this Tea House as a matter of urgency?
Cr Richards responded that he presented a Notice of Motion at the 26 November Council Meeting requesting a report be prepared and presented to Council no later than the end of February 2014, regarding the above issues.
Lionel McWilliam asked when the developer is proposing a 200 metre buffer. Why is Council Planning suggesting a 50 metre buffer? The developer has previously agreed to a 200 metre buffer in C123, C73 and now again in C293?
The Mayor took the question on notice.
Barrie Kinnersly asked the following regarding Amendment C293:
Why is Council Planning Department ignoring the wishes of the people of Lara – over 3,000 objections etc unprecedented?
Why, when Canterbury Road East and Lara West with an additional 4,000 houses has been approved, must this be considered?
The Mayor thanked Mr Kinnersly for his comments.
Heather Boyd asked how will Council enforce the dog and cat ban to control these animals which pose a significant risk to wild life at Serendip?
Jenny McMahon responded that Council would be looking at ways in which to patrol the area. Dependent on these patrols could possibly introduce declared areas as not on leash.
Jennifer Bantow asked what commitment does Council and you Cr Lyons as our new Mayor, have to conserve the cultural urban, suburban and rural fabric of the City of Greater Geelong, to make sure the commercial and residential historical heart of the City is not spoilt and the rural landscapes are not inappropriately subdivided?
The Mayor took the question on notice for a written response within 14 days.
Elizabeth Fairlie asked is Council is committed to gradually over a period of budget yearly allocations to consider completing review of those areas of the outer areas heritage study that have not yet been reviewed, i.e. Highton, Ceres, Breamlea, Connewarre, Corio, Fyansford, Grovedale, Anakie, Avalon, Balliang, Barwon Heads, Batesford, Bell Park, Bell Post Hill, Hamlyn Heights, Lovely Banks, Little River, Marshall, Mount Duneed, Norlane, North Geelong, North Shore, Pettavel, Pt Lillias, Pt Wilson, Staughton Vale, Stonehaven, Sutherland Creek, Wandana Heights and Waurn Ponds?
Cr Richards responded that there is an undertaking by Council to look at reviewing those areas above, however have not as yet been scheduled.
Cr Nelson added yes we are committed.
Graham Gittins asked that given the submission is now from Council why cant there be a public forum?
Peter Bettess responded the Planning Minister is both the responsible authority and planning authority. Council is just a participant, the same as yourself, and make submissions to the process the same as many others. Council has the same status as anyone else and has to conform to the process set for us.
Michael Helman asked why does Council’s C293 report make no reference and in fact ignores credible independent experts Woods, Pescott, Parks Victoria on the impacts of urbanisation on Serendip Sanctuary’s international and domestic tourism, environmental education and captive and free range breeding of endangered and threatened native wildlife?
Peter Bettess responded because Council is not the planning authority for this amendment, it is making a submission to a proposal the Minister has put forward. Council supports the 200metre buffer and will question how that buffer will remain in the future.
Nil.
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